2014 Dirty Dozen List: Playstation

Why is Playstation on the Dirty Dozen List?

PlayStation can do much to improve the problem of pornography on their popular console.

Most parents don’t realize that their child might be exposed to pornography through their video gaming console, but that is exactly what is happening all around the world. This new, very popular, console is supplying live and simulated pornography and other obscene content. PlayStation consoles provide access to obscenity via live streaming in “The Playroom” and in several sexually explicit games. “The Playroom” does not play videos pre-recorded by the users, it is actually live streaming. There have been several incidents where many users flashed their genitals, men undressed their wives while drunk, and people having intercourse as thousands of viewers (many children) watched live. In addition, games approved by PlayStation and allowed to be sold in the PlayStation Store, contain sex scenes, rapes, and graphic sexual assaults. Very young children have been so influenced by these scenes that they have been acting them out in imaginary play with their friends and siblings.

Some of the Problems

PlayStation 4 was released on November 15, 2013, selling 4.2 million consoles in 2013. The biggest change between the PS3 and the PS4 is the PlayStation Eye Camera and “The Playroom” where users can interact with each other and show off their gaming skills through two platforms: Twitch and Ustream. Both platforms’ policies prohibit obscenity, and streaming videos unrelated to gaming is not allowed, however, players can still stream uninhibited through Ustream.

PlayStation 4 has approved (and continues to allow) hundreds of obsene, pornographic and sexually violent video games to be available for purchase through their PlayStation Store.

Possible Solutions

Get out of the porn business altogether! Stop profiting from the sale of obscene video games.

Develop a filtering system to sort pornographic and abusive content from the rest. Instead of bombarding the user with porn in the current automatic opt-in system, have the default setting such that the user must choose to seek out the pornographic materials.

Consider prohibiting you child from using a PlayStation console or do not leave your children unattended as they play. Regularly have conversations with your kids about possible content they might encounter and about Internet safety.

Contact PlayStation’s corporate office and point out where they have content and how easy it is for children to access it. Demand they remove the material. Follow up with them.

Tell your family and friends about PlayStation’s involvement in pornography. Encourage them to join you or make separate complaints.

The Laws

Federal obscenity laws, which the U.S. Department of Justice refuses to currently enforce, prohibit distribution of hardcore, obscene pornography on the Internet, on cable/satellite or hotel/motel TV and in sexually oriented businesses and other retail shops. (Learn more)

18 U.S.C. 1462 Importation or use of a common carrier to transport obscene matter

18 U.S.C. 1465 Interstate transportation of obscene matter

Sections 1462 and 1465 cited above also prohibit distribution of obscenity on the Internet.

Example of PlayStation 3 & 4 games with violent sexual content

*Also available for Xbox One and Xbox 360

Grand Theft Auto Series*

In the newest series, “Grand Theft Auto V,” there is a rape scene that Rockstar games claimed it is actually a naked “cannibalism” scene.

In all the series, the main character can call a prostitute walking around the streets, into his car where he has the option for have a blowjob for $50, sex for $75, or the full package for $100. These scenes help the main character’s stamina increase and health to replenish (semi-graphic sex).

The character also has the opportunity to kill his prostitute by running her over and beating her to death with a bat until she is dead, then stealing all her money from her corpse so your sexual activities are at no charge.

There are mini sex missions where you can videotape yourself having sex with women.

There is a mission in the newest series GTA V where the character is asked to videotape the person’s girlfriend doing hardcore sexual activities.

In more mini games, the character becomes a pimp, pimps out prostituted women and gets paid big money for it.

Heavy Rain

Rated “M” for scenes of nudity, sexual/suggested themes, and violence.

Game is about 4 characters trying to stop this serial killer who murders children.

While playing this game, you have the choice to have sex or not. If the player decides to “interact” in these scenes, the player must press specific buttons on controller to progress through the sexual act (long kisses, undoing a bra, sensual groping, and so on).

There is also a scene where a female is forced to striptease at gunpoint.

God of War Series

There are multiple scenes of topless/nude women.

Kratos is seduced by a large harem of naked women in one game, and in another is asked to invite two topless women to bed with them.

In God of War, they have these mini sex games, where Kratos is in bed with a woman or multiple women and the player has to press buttons to help the women reach “climax.” These scenes help Kratos level up in magic and weapons.

Devil May Cry Series*

Strippers who dance provocatively,

There is a woman slowly moving her head towards Dante’s lap to imply fellatio

A woman bent over while a man is standing behind her.

Some behind-the-scenes concept sketches of the game can be accessed from the main menu.

Nude women can be seen (bare breasts and buttocks).

Godfather Series

Players can run both strip clubs and prostitution rings.

The strippers are topless, wearing only underwear or thongs.

Duke Nukem Forever*

Virtually all of the women appearing in this game are sexually objectified.

They have sex with Duke (not shown), perform a lap dance for him, utterly adore him, and frequently ask to have his babies or for him to pen an autograph near their private areas.

One scene is set in a strip club, complete with topless pole dancers and an objective that sees Duke collecting a vibrator and a condom for a private appointment with one of the strippers.

Another is set in a Las Vegas casino with dozens of statues of naked women.

Another scene, he is in a hive filled with naked women who are being impregnated by aliens.

Dante’s Inferno*

Most – if not all – the female characters are topless.

Beyond: Two Souls

Another scene shows a character propositioning fellatio.

In one scene, some men attempt to rape the protagonist.

Game has been edited in North America, but in Europe shows actual sex scenes.